SITG ESPINO JR.

LINGAYEN–The term “last possessor” is different from the term “last registered owner”.

With this as his statement, P/Colonel Redrico Maranan, police provincial director, insinuated that businessman Jewel Castro of Baguio City, tagged as one of 22 suspects in the attempted slay on former Congressman Amado Espino Jr. is not yet off the hook.

Maranan issued a sharp rebuke to critics who seemed to suggest that because the Land Transportation Office issued a certification that is based on its records, the Hyundai Elantra get-away vehicle in the Espino and party ambuscade was not registered in Castro’s name.    

“Ang pinatutunayang certification na sinasabi ay hindi pa natin alam kung authentic ba yun o talagang galing sa LTO.  Ang pinatunayan n’yon ay hindi siya yong registered owner, pero ang registered owner is very much different doon sa last possessor,” said Maranan during the program “Usapang Pulis” over radio station DWCM Dagupan.

Asked to express his view on the comment that Castro may just be a fall guy, Maranan, said the name of Castro came out during the investigation conducted by the Highway Patrol Group as he clarified that there are situations that point t   o “open deed of sale”, a ”rent-a- car”, and a “borrowed car”, and the applicable term for these is “last possessor”.   

Maranan said the cases filed by Special Investigation Task Group Espino Jr. against the 22 suspects, 10 of them are John Does were reviewed by PNP legal officers led by Atty. Suen who confirmed that there were already sufficient evidence gathered in order to file cases against the suspects.     

“Siyempre, nalulungkot din kami. Pinipilit din naming unawain yong mga ganyang komento at ang mga taong nagkokomento ng ganyan ay wala namang karanasan sa pag-iimbestiga ng mga high profile cases,” Maranan said.

He maintained that the PNP investigators were trained to gather valuable evidence on the ground and all these will be packaged in a case folder for the filing of cases against suspects in court to establish probable cause.

He said the cases were filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office of San Carlos City on October 2 and after that, the prosecutor will issue subpoena against the suspects who are given 10 days to submit their counter-affidavits.

Maranan pointed out that ten days after the filing of the suspects of their counter-affidavits, the prosecutor will determine if a preliminary investigation would already be in order. If not, he may call the suspects and ask them some clarificatory questions or conduct a deeper investigation. (Leonardo Micua)

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